Product Review: Interchangeable Border Punches by Fiskars

by Cindy deRosier (Jul 23, 2012)

Product Names:

Fiskars - Interchangeable Border Punch - Starter Set - Daisy Chain

Fiskars - Interchangeable Border Punch - Cartridge - Dream Weaving

Price:

starter set with Daisy Chain cartridge: $19.99

nine additional cartridges: $11.99 each

Product Description:

Like traditional border punches, Fiskars' Interchangeable Border Punch allows you to create decorative borders along the edge of a project. Unlike traditional border punches, the interchangeable cartridges fit into a single base, which significantly cuts down on the amount of space needed to store or transport them. The starter set comes with the base and the Daisy Chain cartridge. Additional cartridges are sold separately.

In Use:

Fiskars' products are always high-quality and the Interchangeable Border Punch is no exception. The punch action is smooth and does not require a lot of force for a clean cut. Guidelines printed on each cartridge's fold-out 'wings' make it easy to create a punched border of any length.

The cartridges are very easy to insert and remove from the base. To insert a cartridge, open up the 'wings' and simply snap it into the base, with the paper slot facing forward. It will not insert incorrectly, so there is no reason to worry about breaking or jamming a cartridge. To eject a cartridge, turn the base upside down and poke through the opening. The cartridge will pop right out.

The main advantage that the Interchangeable Border Punch has over standard border punches is that the system takes up so much less space to store or transport. When not in use, the 'wings' of each cartridge fold up. All the cartridges have small notches to allow them to stack perfectly on a shelf or in a drawer.

The only disadvantage to the system that I can see is that you cannot buy a base without the Daisy Chain cartridge.

Tips and Techniques:

With ten different cartridges available, there are designs to suit most anybody. Additionally, four of the cartridge (Daisy Chain, Close Curve, X Marks the Spot, and Dream Weaving) are designed so that you can weave ribbon or paper through the punched design for a unique look.

Project Ideas and Examples:

I experimented with using the Daisy Chain and Dream Weaving cartridges on a wide variety of papers. I wove paper strips and ribbons through the designs and was pleased with the ease of both. After playing for a while, I made two cards. I wove a paper strip through the Daisy Chain design and left the Dream Weaving punch plain.